Update on The Performance of Democratic Institutions | July 2021

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This update is meant to identify key developments during the month on Performance of Democratic Institutions in Pakistan with selected high-profile international developments included occasionally.

In this Issue:

  1. Military Briefing to the Parliament
  2. Appointment of New Governor Balochistan
  3. PM Appoints another Federal Minister and Special Assistant
  4. Governor Punjab returns the Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2021 to the Speaker
  5. CJP inaugurates Programme to Reform Criminal Justice System
  6. MoIB Rejects RSF Gallery of Grim Portraits
  7. SC labels Workplace Harassment Law to be limited in scope
  8. DG ISPR on Afghanistan
  9. PM orders curtailing of protocol
  10. Cabinet approves 15 percent increase in salary of Military personnel
  11. PM says Kashmiris can opt for independence after accession
  12. ECP incomplete as 2 Members Retire
  13. Federal Cabinet approves National Cyber Security Policy 2021
  14. Pakistan rejects US Report on Investment Climate
  15. ECP Notice to PTI
  16. Performance of Public Servants to be linked with redressal of public grievances: PM
  17. US recognizes Pakistan’s efforts on FATF grey list
  18. Afghan NSA Meets Mr. Nawaz Sharif in London
  19. President briefed on National Security
  20. National Assembly holds 8 Sittings in July
  21. The Senate holds 4 Sittings in July
  22. Chairman Senate meets Foreign Dignitaries
  23. Speaker National Assembly meets Foreign Dignitaries
  24. Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
  25. Tunisian President Suspends Parliament

Military Briefing to the Parliament

On July 1, an in-camera briefing was given by Director General, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. Mr. Asad Qaiser, Speaker National Assembly and Chairman of the Committee presided over the meeting. Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, was also part of the session and answered questions of MPs. However, Prime Minister of Pakistan was not part of the briefing. Later, spokesperson of the National Assembly secretariat clarified that the “Prime Minister was always willing to attend the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee and the only reason of his not coming to Meeting was reservations conveyed to Assembly secetariat by some opposition leaders.” [1]

In addition to the members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, the briefing was also joined by other MPs including the provincial chief ministers.[2]

Appointment of New Governor Balochistan

Governor Balochistan Syed Zahoor Agha

On July 7, President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, appointed Syed Zahoor Agha as new governor of Balochistan. Mr. Agha is politically affiliated with the ruling PTI and is a businessman by profession. He replaced Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai who resigned from the post of governor after serving for two years and eight months since his appointment in October 2018. Reportedly, provincial parliamentary party of the PTI, during a meeting with the Prime Minister, had demanded that Balochistan governor be appointed from the party. [3]

PM Appoints another Federal Minister and Special Assistant

PM chairs meeting of Federal Cabinet

On July 19, Mr. Moonis Elahi, MNA, was sworn in as Federal Minister for Water Resources. [4] His appointment has increased number of Federal Ministers to 28.

Earlier, on July 7, Prime Minister appointed Sahibzada Shahzain Bugti, the sole MNA belonging to the Jamhoori Watan Party, as his Special Assistant on Reconciliation and Harmony in Balochistan. [5]

On July 28, Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed former chief minister Sindh, Mr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, as Special Assistant on Sindh Affairs. [6]

It must be noted that while the Constitution places a bar on the size of cabinet in terms of Federal Ministers, State Ministers and Advisors, there is no constitutional bar on the number of Special Assistants to PM.

Governor Punjab returns the Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2021 to the Speaker

Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, Governor of the Punjab

On July 29, Governor of the Punjab returned to the Speaker Punjab Assembly the Provincial Assembly (Privileges) (Amendment) Bill 2021 for being in contravention of Article 66 (3) and Article 10-A of the Constitution.[7] Reportedly, the Governor returned the bill following instruction from Prime Minister and Punjab Chief Minister who believe bureaucracy should not be subjected to punishment for breach of privilege of the house, committees and members of the Punjab Assembly.

The bill, which was originally passed by the Assembly on June 29, had empowered the Speaker to form a judicial committee with the ability to penalize journalists or bureaucrats for breach of privilege of the house, committees or members. However, upon protests by journalist bodies, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab had passed an amendment on July 13 omitting journalists from the Provincial Assembly (Privileges) (Amendment) Bill 2021. [8]

CJP inaugurates Programme to Reform Criminal Justice System

CJP at the launching ceremony with EU Ambassador

On July 2, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Gulzar Ahmed, launched a programme to promote the rule of law and enhance the criminal justice system in Pakistan saying that it will enhance access to justice for all, particularly women, less-privileged and marginalised groups and improve service delivery. The programme is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Androulla Kaminara was also present at the launching ceremony.[9]

MoIB Rejects RSF Gallery of Grim Portraits

A screenshot from the RSF List of Predators Gallery

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected a report by the Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) on media freedom in Pakistan and termed it as “an attempt to malign the elected representative of the people of Pakistan without any corroborative evidence.” [10]

The RSF published what it termed as a 2021 “gallery of grim portraits of 37 heads of state or government who crack down massively on press freedom.” The gallery includes Prime Minister Imran Khan among 37 leaders from around the world and terms him as a “predator since taking office.” [11]

The Ministry has maintained that contrary to the report, the PTI government has taken all possible measures to “create a congenial environment for journalists to perform their professional obligations.” The statement also said that the RSF reference to the “deep state” is misplaced, as all institutions of Pakistan are working in cohesion and at the same time guarding their own independence and autonomy.

SC labels Workplace Harassment Law to be limited in scope

Supreme Court building

A Supreme Court judgement has termed the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 (PAHWWA) to be “blinkered in its application,” which “does not live up to the expectation.”

The Supreme Court judgement is made on a petition moved by a former employee of the Pakistan Television (PTV) and states that rather than addressing issues of harassment in all its manifestation in a holistic manner, the Act is a myopic piece of legislation that focused only on a minute faction of harassment. The judgement says that harassment, in all forms and manifestations, may it be based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age related, an arrangement of quid pro quo, and/or sexual harassment, affects and violates the dignity of a person, as guaranteed under the Constitution. Any other demeaning attitude, behaviour, or conduct which might amount to harassment in the generic sense of the word, as it was ordinarily understood, howsoever grave and devastating it might be on the victim, was not made actionable within the contemplation of actionable definition of harassment under Section 2 (h) of the Act. Giving such restricted meaning to “actionable” harassment, by the legislature in its wisdom, impinges the very object and purpose for which the Act was promulgated, the judgement regretted, adding that the impact of harassment, as generically understood, and how restrictive its application had been made was very well articulated and thrashed out by the Islamabad High Court in the Shahida Masood case, stated the judgement. [12]

DG ISPR on Afghanistan

DG ISPR

In an interview to ARY News on July 10, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Babar Iftikhar refuted the Taliban claim of control of 85 % of territory in Afghanistan terming it to be an “exaggeration” and said that Taliban controlled only 45-50 % of the Afghanistan territory at the time. [13]

The DG ISPR also said that Pakistan Pakistan has played a key role of a facilitator in the Afghan peace process with ‘sincerity,’ though Pakistan is “still a facilitator of this peace process, we are not guarantors.” He added that “We have always maintained that it should be an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and that is what we have continued to strive for.”

Answering a question on the possibility of Talibans coming into power, in Afghanistan, the DG ISPR said that “We need to understand that if that happens, that would be the decision of the Afghans. No one will dictate this decision from the outside.” [14]

PM orders curtailing of protocol

Prime Minister

Prime Minister of Pakistan ordered curtailing protocol for federal cabinet members by ordering that security staff of ministers and other VIPs should be reduced to two officials. [15]

Cabinet approves 15 percent increase in salary of Military personnel

On July 13, Federal Cabinet approved 15 per cent additional increase in the salary of military personnel above the 10 percent raise announced in the federal budget. This translates to a total of 25 percent increase in the salaries of the armed forces personnel. [16]

PM says Kashmiris can opt for independence after accession

PM Imran Khan says Kashmiris can opt for independence even after accession

On July 23, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Islamabad would grant Kashmiris the right to live as an independent nation if they decided to do so after acceding to Pakistan through the United Nations-sponsored plebiscite. He was addressing an election rally in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). [17]

Even though the statement of Prime Minister was criticized, it is in line with Article 257 of the Constitution of Pakistan[18] which says that “When the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship between Pakistan and the State shall be determined in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State.”

It must be noted that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) won majority of the seats of the Legislative Assembly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) election held on July 25, 2021. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) got 10 and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) got 6 seats. [19]

ECP incomplete as 2 Members Retire

On July 26, two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan belonging to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa retired. [20]

Instead of advanced planning, the government did not initiate consultation with the opposition on their replacement. In similar situations previously, when two members of the ECP had retired in January 2019, appointment of new members remained stuck for a whole year. The ECP had to make do with only three members including the chief election commissioner (CEC) which is the minimum number required to keep the commission functional. Earlier, in clear violation of the Constitutional requirement that the vacant position of CEC and ECP members be filled within 45 days, when Chief Election Commissioner retired in December 2019 and the number of ECP members dropped to two, the ECP became and remained non-functional for 53 days until the present CEC was appointed along with two other ECP members in January 2020. The Prime Minister is required to consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and forward three names agreed upon for each vacancy to the parliamentary committee to be constituted for the purpose. [21] The Parliamentary Committee on Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Members of the Election Commission of Pakistan is chaired by Dr. Shireen Mazari, MNA and Federal Minister on Human Rights.

Federal Cabinet approves National Cyber Security Policy 2021

Federal cabinet Meeting

On July 27, the Federal cabinet approved the National Cyber Security Policy 2021 according to which a cyberattack on any institution of Pakistan will be considered an act of aggression against national sovereignty. The government also constituted the Cyber Governance Policy Committee for implementation of the policy and to determine a strategy and action. [22]

Pakistan rejects US Report on Investment Climate

On July 27, Spokesperson of the Foreign Office of Pakistan said that Pakistan has taken strong exception to the gratuitous and unwarranted comments made in the US State Department Report on Investment Climate in Pakistan in 2021. Courts in Pakistan are independent and functioning in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the country, he said. [23]

The US State Department report had stated that “Pakistan generally lacks transparency and effective policies and laws that foster market-based competition in a non-discriminatory manner.” It had also stated that “Pakistan’s judiciary is influenced by the government and other stakeholders. The lower judiciary is influenced by the executive branch and seen as lacking competence and fairness.” [24]

ECP Notice to PTI

On July 29, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan, in his capacity as chairman of the PTI, for not holding intra-party elections within the stipulated time. The ECP notice asked the PTI chair to explain reasons for not holding intra-party polls due on June 13, 2021. The ECP sought a response within 14 days. [25]

In a response on July 30, the PTI stated it had not missed the legal deadline as the latest intra-party election of PTI took place in June 2017 and the five-year term of the elected office-bearers would expire almost after a year. [26]

Performance of Public Servants to be linked with redressal of public grievances: PM

On July 09, Prime Minister’s Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU) said that the Prime Minister has directed the Establishment Division to create procedures for improving the annual confidential report (ACR) of public servants on the basis of addressing public complaints. The Establishment Division is to develop procedure to grade how quickly a public servant resolves public grievances.[27]

US recognizes Pakistan’s efforts on FATF grey list

Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Mr. Ned Price has said that the US recognises and supports Pakistan’ continued efforts to meet the requirements for coming out of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) watch-list. He also said that the US would encourage Pakistan to continue working with the FATF and the international community to swiftly complete the remaining action item by demonstrating that terrorism financing, investigations, and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated groups. [28]

Pakistan has been alleging international politics has been behind its continued ‘grey list’ status of FATF. On July 18, India’s Minister for External Affairs, Mr. S. Jaishankar had reportedly claimed that the BJP government had ensured that Pakistan remained on the FATF ‘grey list,’ a statement that Pakistan maintained had vindicated Pakistan’s stance on “India’s negative role” in the FATF against Pakistan. [29]

Afghan NSA Meets Mr. Nawaz Sharif in London

Afghan NSA with Mr. Nawaz Sharif

On July 25, National Security Adviser of Afghanistan, Mr. Hamdullah Mohib, called on Quaid PML-N Mr. Nawaz Sharif in London. While the senior government figures criticised why the PML-N leader met a hostile Afghan official

Senior PTI leaders including Information Minister, criticised Mr. Nawaz Sharif for meeting Afghan NSA calling him as “RAW’s biggest ally in Afghanistan.” [30] It is, however, an accepted international practice that foreign dignitaries meet and interact with opposition leaders and parties and it is not in keeping with norms to imply that any opposition party meeting a foreign representative may compromise on national interest.[31]

President briefed on National Security

President at the ISI Headquarters

On July 15, President Dr. Arif Alvi was briefed on national security scenario during a visit to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Headquarters. Reportedly, President appreciated the ISI’s efforts for national security and expressed his satisfaction over their professional preparedness. [32]

National Assembly holds 8 Sittings in July

National Assembly held 8 sittings during the month of July falling on July 8, July 9, July 12, July 13, July 14, July 16, July 19 and July 30.

In the sitting held on July 08, 9 out of 10 agenda items were left over. On a point of order, PPP’s Raja Pervez Ashraf, MNA raised the issue of restoration of Flight operations for overseas Pakistanis. A number of PML-N MNAs raised the issue of holding intermediate examinations without completing syllabus. Mr. Mohsin Dawar, MNA raised the issue of target killing incident in North Waziristan. While the National Assembly bulletin for the day gives the figure of 200 MNAs present on the day, when the quorum was pointed out only after a sitting of 48 minutes, the house had to be adjourned as required strength of MNAs was not present in the sitting. [33] This points out flaws in the system of attendance.

The sitting held on July 09 lasted for 40 minutes before quorum was pointed out and house was adjourned. 6 agenda items were left over out of 10. 166 MNAs joined the sitting. Issues raised included lack of planning to construct small housing units for poor families under the Prime Minister’s initiative of Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme.[34]

The sitting held on July 12 lasted for 3 hours and 15 minutes where 193 MNAs were present. Issues discussed included requirement of placement of invoice and packing list inside the import containers by the country of origin. A bill was introduced to provide for establishment of the Pakistan Global Institute [The Pakistan Global Institute Bill, 2021]. Two Periodical reports of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) were laid covering the period from period July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Similarly, the Standing Committee on Water Resources laid in the House its periodical report for the period of January-June, 2020. Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication also laid its periodical report for the period July to December 2020. Electricity load shedding and disaster due to heavy rains in Mansehra, Abbottabad and Hazara , protection of wildlife, non-payment of covid-19 risk allowance to Health workers in ICT were also discussed. [35]

On the Private Members’ day held on July 13, members raised the issue of absence of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. The sitting lasted for 1 hour and 22 minutes and 180 MNAs joined it. 12 agenda items were deferred and 33 were left over out of 86 items on the agenda. Issues raised were short supply of water to Punjab by IRSA, non-implementation on the decision of Supreme Court regarding the restoration of Local Government representatives of Punjab, shortage of Water in Sindh, transparency in AJK elections. 11 Private Members’ bills were introduced in the house. [36]

The July 14 sitting lasted only 52 minutes when the quorum was pointed out and the house was adjourned when 11 out of 12 agenda items were left over. 189 MNAs were part of the sitting. Opposition MNAs staged a walkout in protest on the statement of Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan. Law and order in the country, Covid-19 Health Risk Allowance for frontline workers of ICT and shortage of water in Hyderabad were raised.[37]

The July 16 sitting was held for 1 hour and 48 minutes with 220 MNAs in attendance. Quorum was pointed out twice but the house was found to be in order. Out of 15 agenda items, only 1 was left over. By resolution, the Assembly extended 3 ordinances for further 120 days including the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (VIII of 2021), the Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (IX of 2021), the Higher Education Commission (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (X of 2021). Rules were also set aside to lay and pass the Special Technology Zones Authority Bill, 2021 and The Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Bill, 2021]. [38]

The July 19 sitting was the shortest in duration as it only lasted for 10 minutes with 14 out of 15 agenda items left over without any issue of quorum. 109 MNAs were present in the sitting. [39].

The sitting on July 30 was held after a gap of 8 working days and lasted for 1 hour and 37 minutes where 167 MNAs were present. The house was adjourned when quorum was pointed out while 120 out of 122 agenda items were left over. [40]

Following Standing Committees of the National Assembly met during July 2021:

The Senate holds 4 Sittings in July

The Senate of Pakistan met for 4 sittings during the month of July on July 12, July 13, July 14 and July 16.

The sitting of the Senate held on July 12, which lasted for 3 hours and 55 minutes and was attended by 82 Senators. The Senate passed the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill, 2021]. 9 Private Members Bills were laid and referred to concerned Standing Committees. Motions to discuss Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy, continuation of Pakistan on the FATF grey list and release of Dr. Afia Siddiqui were discussed in the house. In addition resolutions on impending water crisis, starting of metrobus from Faizabad to Rawat, ensuring 3% share in the NFC Award and Rs.100 billion annual development package for the merged districts of erstwhile FATA were unianimously approved by the house. [59]

The sitting held on July 13 lasted for 3 hours and 15 minutes and 78 Senators were present. Opposition Senators staged walkout as a protest against absence of the concerned ministers of which the Chairman Senate took serious notice and directed that the concerned Secretaries to ensure presence of senior officers in the galleries during taking up of their business. Chairman also directed that the concerned Ministers shall ensure their presence in the House during their business. The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presented its report on the Federal Medical Teaching Institutes Bill, 2021, the National Institute of Health (Re-organization) Bill, 2021. Standing Committee on Interior presented its report to amend the Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented its report to amend the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Control of Narcotic Substances (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021 was referred to the Standing Committee. [60]

The July 14 sitting lasted for 3 hours and 15 minutes while 73 Senators were present. The Senate passed the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2021). The Opposition benches recorded their protest against the abusive and defamatory remarks for two former Prime Ministers by Minister for Kashmir Affairs during a rally in AJK.[61]

The July 16 sitting continued for 2 hours and 15 minutes in which 81 Senators were present. Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting requested 60 more days to present its report on the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Similarly, Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, sought and received extension of 30 days in presentation of report on the Guardians and Wards (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Report of the Standing Committee on Defence on the Maritime Security Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was presented to the house. The Senate also passed 4 government bills including the Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) (Amendment) Bill, 2021, The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2021, The Federal Medical Teaching Institutes Bill, 2021 and The National Institute of Health (Reorganization) Bill, 2021. The Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was also passed by the Senate. The calling attention notice moved by Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari on fake CNICs issued by NADRA to terrorists, banned organizations and foreign nationals was disposed of after discussion. [62]

Following meetings were held by Senate Standing Committees:

Chairman Senate meets Foreign Dignitaries

Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan
  1. On July 19, Chairman Senate met with Bulgarian Ambassador, Mrs. Irena Gancheva, at the Parliament House.[88]
  2. On July 30, Ambassador of Iran, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, called on Chairman Senate.[89]

Speaker National Assembly meets Foreign Dignitaries

Mr. Asad Qaiser, Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan
  1. On July 16, Outgoing Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan in Pakistan, Mr. Erik Beishembiev called on Speaker National Assembly at the Parliament House.[90]
  2. On July 27, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, met with Speaker National Assembly and the Parliamentary Delegation in Azerbaijan.[91]
  3. On July 28, 2021, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova met with Speaker National Assembly at Baku, Azerbaijan.[92]

Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
  1. On July 05, General Umit Dundar, Commander Turkish Land Forces, called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff, at the GHQ.[93]
  2. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff called on Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Lt. Gen. Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim, Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces in Qatar.[94]
  3. On July 09, Mr. Nong Rong, Ambassador of China to Pakistan, called on the COAS.[95]
  4. On July 14, Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Defence Minister of Republic of Tajikistan, called on the COAS.[96]
  5. On July 19, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, called on the COAS.[97]
  6. On July 19, Mr. Nong Rong, Ambassador of China to Pakistan, again called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff, at the GHQ.[98]
  7. On July 27, General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of South African National Defence Forces, called on COAS.[99]
  8. On July 28, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of KSA, called on COAS.[100]
  9. On July 30, 15 member Afghan media delegation met with COAS.[101]

Tunisian President Suspends Parliament

Protest in Tunisia

On July 25, Tunisian President, Mr. Kais Saied, suspended parliament and dismissed the prime minister which sparked protests in Tunisia. The decision was condemned as an attack on democracy by President’s rivals. Foreign governments have also voiced concern while the UN called on all parties in Tunisia to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and ensure that the situation remains calm. [102]

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  32. Rizwan Shehzad, “ISI briefs President Alvi on national security, Afghanistan”, Express Tribune online, July 15, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2310696/isi-briefs-president-alvi-on-national-security-afghanistan. ↑
  33. “Bulletin of the Assembly, July 08, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1625832548_363.pdf. ↑
  34. “Bulletin of the Assembly, July 09, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1625832577_464.pdf.. ↑
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  41. “National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges meets today – July 5, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4412. ↑
  42. “NA Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting meets – July 5, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed September 01, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4411. ↑
  43. “NA Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony – July 5, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4409. ↑
  44. “NA Standing Committee on Water Resources – July 5, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4408. ↑
  45. “NA Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat Meets – July 7, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4415. ↑
  46. “NA Standing Committee on Communications meets – July 8, 2021. National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4417. ↑
  47. “NA Standing Committee on Energy (Power Division) meets today – July 12, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4420. ↑
  48. “NA Standing Committee on Law & Justice meets today – July 13, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4422. ↑
  49. “Standing Committee on Law and Justice met – July 14, 2021,”National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4427. ↑
  50. “NA Standing Committee on Climate Change meets – July 15, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4428. ↑
  51. “NA Standing Committee on Law and Justice meets – July 15, 2021”, National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4427. ↑
  52. “NA Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue meets – July 15, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4426↑
  53. “NA Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue meets – July 16, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4429. ↑
  54. “NA Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs meets – July 27, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4438↑
  55. “National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges meets – July 27, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4437. ↑
  56. “NA Standing Committee on States & Frontier Region meets – July 27, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4435. ↑
  57. “NA Standing Committee on Energy (Petroleum Division) meets today – July 28, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4439. ↑
  58. “The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence met – July 29, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=103#4446. ↑
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  63. “Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice chaired by Senator Syed Ali Zafar,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3932. ↑
  64. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, was held at Parliament House on Thursday to discuss the Functions and Performance of the Ministry,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed September 02, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3931. ↑
  65. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was held,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed September 02, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3933. ↑
  66. “Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3934. ↑
  67. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Farooq Hamid Naik,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3940. ↑
  68. “The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan was held on Thursday at Parliament,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3939. ↑
  69. “Maiden meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Privatization, on a detailed briefing on the overall working and performance of the Ministry of Privatization,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3938↑
  70. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Faisal Javaid at PTV Headquarters today on 8th of July 2021,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3937. ↑
  71. “Foreign Affairs Committee Voices Concern over the Afghanistan crisis,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3941. ↑
  72. “The Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Interior was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Mohsin Aziz,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3942. ↑
  73. “Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs chaired by Senator Taj Haider,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3945. ↑
  74. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social protection was held at Parliament House,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3944. ↑
  75. “Samsung is poised to enter the local market and has short listed two companies for local manufacturing after obtaining the authorization certificate, Ministry informed the Senate Body,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3946. ↑
  76. “The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on communications was held here at Parliament House,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3948. ↑
  77. “Senate Standing Committee on Finance, revenue and economic affairs chaired by Senator Talha Mahmood,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3951. ↑
  78. “The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior was held on Friday at Parliament House,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3950. ↑
  79. “Senate Defence Committee briefed by Dr. Moeed Yusuf, National Security Policy being formulated,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3949. ↑
  80. “The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice was held on Tuesday at the Parliament Lodges,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3947. ↑
  81. “Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Dr. Muhammad Humayun Mohmand,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3953. ↑
  82. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Oversees Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3954. ↑
  83. “Senate Standing Committee took notice on Over Billing and Loads Shedding, directs NEPRA to rectify Public Problems Chairman Committee, Rana Maqbool Ahmad, Contemplated over the wisdom in increase of oil pricing every month,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3960. ↑
  84. “Senate Standing Committee on Commerce chaired by Chairman Committee Senator Zeeshan Khanzada,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3959. ↑
  85. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was held under the chairpersonship of Senator Rubina Khalid,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3962. ↑
  86. “A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power was held on Wednesday at Parliament House, Islamabad,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3963. ↑
  87. “Parliamentary Committee to Protect Minorities from Forced Conversion,” Senate of Pakistan, Accessed August 31, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3969. ↑
  88. “Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Exchanging Views with Bulgarian Ambassador, Mrs. Irena Gancheva”, Senate of Pakistan online, July 19, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3955. ↑
  89. “Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani exchanging views with ambassador of Iran Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini”, Senate of Pakistan online, July 30, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3967. ↑
  90. “Outgoing Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Pays Farewell Call On Speaker – July 16, 2021”. National Assembly of Pakistan online, July 16, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1626451231_178.pdf. ↑
  91. “Speaker National Assembly led Pakistan Parliamentary delegation meets President of Azerbaijan at the Presidential Palace – July 27, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan online, July 27, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=101#4418. ↑
  92. “Pakistan to host the Second Trilateral Meeting of Speakers of Azerbaijan, Pakistan & Turkey in 2022 – July 28, 2021,” National Assembly of Pakistan online, July 28, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. http://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease.php?content=101#4418. ↑
  93. “His Excellency General Umit DUNDAR, Commander Turkish Land Forces called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, today,” ISPR online, July 05, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6224. ↑
  94. “Army chief discusses regional situation with Qatar leaders,” Dawn online, July 08, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.dawn.com/news/1633848. ↑
  95. “His Excellency Mr Nong Rong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, today,”ISPR online, July 09, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6230. ↑
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  98. “His Excellency Mr Nong Rong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, today,”ISPR online, July 19, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6243. ↑
  99. “General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of South African National Defence Forces called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, today,” ISPR online, July 27, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6247. ↑
  100. “Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, foreign minister of KSA, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Rawalpindi,” ISPR online, July 28, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6249. ↑
  101. “15 member Afghan media delegation visited GHQ and met General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS),”ISPR online, July 30, 2021, accessed September 01, 2021. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6254. ↑
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